Vibrant Fruit Carrot Salad (Printable format)

Lively gelatin blend with pineapple, mandarin oranges, carrots, and cottage cheese, chilled to set.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Gelatin Base

01 - 2 packages (3 oz each) flavored gelatin (strawberry or orange)
02 - 475 ml boiling water
03 - 240 ml cold water

→ Fruit & Vegetables

04 - 1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
05 - 1 cup canned mandarin orange segments, drained
06 - 1 cup grated carrots

→ Creamy Additions

07 - 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
08 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the gelatin in boiling water, stirring until completely blended.
02 - Add the cold water to the gelatin mixture and stir until combined.
03 - Let the gelatin mixture cool to room temperature, approximately 20 minutes.
04 - Stir in crushed pineapple, mandarin orange segments, grated carrots, and small-curd cottage cheese; fold in walnuts if desired.
05 - Pour the mixture into a 6-cup gelatin mold or bundt pan, smoothing the surface.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours until fully set.
07 - Briefly dip the mold in warm water, then invert onto a serving platter.
08 - Slice the molded dessert and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that somehow tastes even better than it looks, which is saying something.
  • The combination of creamy cottage cheese and bright fruit reminds people why this dish earned its place at every special occasion for decades.
  • You'll feel genuinely proud unmolding it successfully, especially when someone asks for the recipe.
02 -
  • Don't skip the draining step for canned fruit; excess liquid is the primary reason Jell-O salad fails to set properly, and it's a frustration entirely preventable.
  • Room temperature matters—if your gelatin is too warm when you add the solids, they'll sink; if it's too cold, it'll start setting before you get everything combined smoothly.
03 -
  • Chill your mold in the freezer for five minutes before pouring to help the gelatin set faster and more firmly along the sides.
  • If you're nervous about unmolding, invert it onto plastic wrap first—if it sticks, you can flip it back without anyone knowing and try again immediately.
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